In short: A great race which has outgrown itself.In full: Too many runners for the facilities. Car parking was a joke, arriving an hour before the start I was directed up a logging track only to meet a queue of cars trying to reverse back down! There were cars parked along all the surrounding roads , even across the race route. I must have missed the water station/goody bags though I was in early enough to get a T-shirt & bottle of water.That said I enjoyed the course again, signs were abundant and the increased numbers meant there was more support on the route.Date of review: December 31, 2012

In short: Seven Hills & 2 SwimsIn full: I could almost copy and paste the previous review, as I also started and finished 2012 with Seven Sins!

I think last months review in RW led to a vast increase in numbers, that perhaps were not anticipated by the organizers. We arrived in plenty of time to use the Mallards Pike toilets, park up, register and use the potaloos, so can't comment on parking issues. Given the mild weather today the delayed start didn't really matter but the increased numbers did lead to a bit of congestion on the course. If your not too bad on the hills all of them are runnable without slow traffic in front, the downs were a bit dicey in places given the sheer amount of rain we have had. Two horses out on the course didn't seem to keen on the huffing and puffing collection of fluorescent clad bodies ambling past, not sure if the run uses bridle paths, if so maybe a bit of forewarning for riders would have been useful, as it has the potential for an accident.

I knew the river crossings were going to be deep, waist level on the first and very fast flowing on the second really had to hang onto the trees to not lose your footing! Good job it was so mild or I never would have got my quads going again!

Will definitely be back again as its a great course, and well worth the run. No criticism but just a point maybe look at the organisation with increased numbers, 9/10! Date of review: December 30, 2012

In short: It's a great course!In full: I finished 2012 the way I began it with the Seven Sins Run. In January there were 131 finishers, this time 340 people had pre entered plus entries were taken on the day. As others have said the extra numbers did create problems for the organisers but I thought they seemed to cope well with it on the whole, well done Andy and the team. Car parking will need to be looked at if numbers are going to stay at this level, some parking marshalls would have helped, having said that arriving 40 minutes before the start we got parked OK and did not have to queue for long at registration. The course was as challenging as ever with the mud and water being more plentiful than January. Before we went I thought the tunnels might have to be missed out due to the high water levels but the organiser made the decision to leave them in. I wouldn't have blamed him for diverting the route, the fast flowing water particulary on the second tunnel where all the water was funneled through a narrow gap approaching the tunnel entrance was quite scary wouldn't have taken much to take me off my feet. Made it in one peice though and hope to come back next time.Date of review: December 30, 2012

In short: My toes have thawed out!In full: The uphills weren't as bad as expected but the descents with all the mud were treacherous. The tunnels were longer than expected and if the water had been much higher, I think they would have had to find a diversion. Only problems were parking, registration which delayed the start and running out of T-shirts although pre-entered athletes could send an e-mail to get one. A really challenging event but needs a few tweaks.Date of review: December 30, 2012

In short: great fun!In full: I turned up early and had no parking issues. However, the race has outgrown the facilities available and I saw several cars stuck in mud and others who had to park miles away. Apart from that though it was a great fun race. Exceptionally muddy after all the rain and the river crossings throughout the tunnels were more challenging than they might have otherwise been. If I'd been able to take in the scenery instead of watching my step everywhere I know I'd be raving about that but today it was just a real fun watery slog!!!Date of review: December 30, 2012

In short: Muddy Fun Run but organisation a bit lackingIn full: Poor communications (or none) ahead of the race and organisers caught out by the numbers who turned up so parking was difficult. Nevertheless it was a great fun and very muddy race. I will be back. I did not see the water station at 5km but personally did not need it. Overall - something in this race for everybody in this race -as long as they like mud. Date of review: December 30, 2012

In short: Deserves to be a lot more popular, great start to 2012In full: Great hidden gem of a race.

Race was very low key, but very efficient at the same time. No fault of the organizers but the toilets at the start were shut, however they directed us to the nearest toilets (which fortunately were open!)and we managed to get back in time for the start, so thumbs up for that.

I ran on the back of getting over festive flu and so took it nice and steady at the back (apologies to the poor runners around me for my constant coughing!) Seven hills over seven miles, first few were tough, the latter ones, had I been at full fitness were pretty runnable. Very muddy due to the recent rain, so very slippy in places and did see one poor lady lose a shoe. However, the hidden 'treat' came at just over halfway when a very friendly marshal directed us with a big grin down into the icy thigh high water and through a tunnel to cross under the road, this was repeated again just before the end, very soggy cold feet, but at least my trainers were nice and clean to get back in the car!

Great marshaling, thanks guys, great organisation, and despite not having my own dog to run with thought it was a really nice touch to have the Cani event start 15 mins before the lone 2 legged competitors.

Great start to 2012, only 1 quibble would have loved a medal rather than the earphone memento (interesting choice given the majority of races claim to ban MP3's!??!) would have been the icing on the cake! Big thumbs up, will definitely be back next year.Date of review: January 2, 2012

In short: An excellent well marked course, friendly and efficient organisation.In full: I really enjoyed this run. The course is excellent with seven challenging hills but not ridiculously hard.I even quite liked wading through the rivers in the tunnels although it was a bit cold on the feet!Deserves to have a bigger number of entrants.Date of review: January 2, 2012

In short: Why oh why???In full: This event was exactly as it said on the tin, a tough {slightly over} seven mile run up and down seven hideously steep Forest of Dean hills. The ups were breath sucking and the downs were breathtaking.

It was a small event - only about 44 runners turned up, which I found surprising. They are dog friendly and quite a few people ran with their dogs. A lovely friendly bunch of people and I will definately do it again.Date of review: June 7, 2011